UK Boxing
Eddie Hearn: Anthony Joshua can fight this year on one condition
Anthony Joshua could return to the ring before the end of the year, but not in a main event, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn.
Under Hearn’s tutelage, Joshua has headlined his last 19 fights, a run that has seen him become a two-time world heavyweight champion.
The 35-year-old has been out of the ring since a devastating fifth-round knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois last September, with his return put on hold after he underwent elbow surgery earlier this year.
Hearn revealed that the Watford man could return to the pitch in December, but if he does, it will be the first time in almost 11 years that he will be on the miniature end of the stick.
“There was a discussion [about him fighting before the end of the year]– said the chairman of the match hall IFLTV.
If he fights this year, it will be a fight of attrition.
“Because coming back and fighting in a huge arena, in a challenging fight after a year and a half break, is not always that effortless and it’s not about money in this fight this year.
“The idea is to wrap your arms around it, go in there and punch someone in the jaw, then go back to camp, get ready for the next one, and then fight Tyson Fury.
“So it’s 50-50 whether he will fight this year.
“But if that happens, he’ll be added to a card that he won’t headline.”
“AJ” was in talks to fight the YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paulbut the talks were suspended when the American decided to meet Gervonta Davis on display on November 14.
Joshua was the subject of calls from both Arslanbek Makhmudov and Guido Vianello following their weekend victories, with Makhmudov claiming that “AJ” had agreed to face him after exchanging messages on social media.
According to Hearn, Joshua is still awaiting a long-awaited showdown with Fury, who retired in January, but is expected to return to the ring next year, according to his promoter Frank Warren.
“That’s what everyone wanted to hear,” the 46-year-old said Heavenly sports.
“What AJ wants more than anything is to fight Tyson Fury.
“It’s the most essential fight in this sport… I hope.
“The only thing that comes close to this level [for Joshua] is to win the world heavyweight championship again, which is a huge motivation for him.”
Johnny Nelson believes that Oleksandr Usyk will defeat Rico Verhoeven, but not in the way most people expect.
Usyk will defend his unified heavyweight world titles against Verhoeven on Saturday at the Giza Pyramids in Egypt, live on DAZN.
Many expect the undefeated Ukrainian champion to stop the former kickboxing champion, who is fighting for only the second time as a professional boxer and first in almost 12 years.
Usyk is rated at 2/9 by Bet365, giving him his 16th career knockout, but former cruiserweight world champion Nelson believes the Dutchman will go the distance.
“I don’t think it will be a downtime,” the 59-year-old said Boxing King’s Media.
“I think it will be a points win for Usyk.
“I think Rico will be in very good shape, very powerful.
“Compared to the technique, he is confined, but I think he will go the distance.
“He will grab and hold.
Unless the referee steps in and saves him, but it won’t be a beating.
Usyk is fighting for the first time since July, when he became a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion of the world by defeating Daniel Dubois in the fifth round.
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The Ukrainian later vacated the WBO title with Fabio Wardley becoming champion before losing it in his first defense against Dubois earlier this month.
The WBC sanctioned the Usyk-Verhoeven fight, though WBA and IBF have determined their own position on the controversial clash.
The WBA federation agreed to the 37-year-old defending the belt, but the contender cannot win it and if Usyk loses, they will review the situation again.
A WBA statement read: “If Usyk emerges victorious, the fight will be officially recognized as a successful title defense. If the champion loses, the WBA Championship Committee will review his status and determine the next course of action for the heavyweight championship.”
“As for Verhoeven, a victory would not earn him WBA title recognition, although it would allow him to enter the organization’s heavyweight rankings.”
As for the IBF, their belt is not in danger, but if Usyk loses, he will be stripped of his title.
The post Usyk vs Verhoeven: Johnny Nelson predicts shock appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
UK Boxing
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Oleksandr Usyk is the bookmakers’ clear favorite to defeat Rico Verhoeven on Saturday in Egypt.
Usyk defends his WBC heavyweight title against Verhoeven at the Giza Pyramids, live on DAZN.
The only things at stake for him are the Ukrainian’s IBF and WBA titles.
The 39-year-old is a 1/18 favorite Bet365 defeat a former kickboxing world champion who is fighting for only the second time as a professional boxer.
Usyk knocked out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round last August to claim the undisputed heavyweight championship for a second time and is expected to stop the Dutchman at 2/9, while a points victory is valued at 4/1.
Verhoeven’s last professional boxing fight was in 2014, and the “King of Kickboxing” is an 8/1 underdog Bet365 accomplish what would be seen as one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight history and celebrate Usyk’s first defeat as a professional.
The 37-year-old’s best hope for victory is a knockout with a score of 14/1, while an unlikely decision victory is valued at 25/1.
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
- Oleksandr Usyk will win the fight: 1/18
- Oleksandra Usyk by KO/TKO/DQ: 2/9
- Oleksandr Usyk by decision or technical decision: 4/1
- Rico Verhoeven will win the fight: 8/1
- Rico Verhoeven by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
- Rico Verhoeven by decision or technical decision: 25/1
- Draw or technical draw: 28/1
Round bets
Aleksander Usyk
- To win in round 1: 1/11
- To win round 2: 9/1
- Win in round 3: 15/2
- To win round 4: 7/1
- To win in round 5: 7/1
- To win in round 6: 15/2
- To win in round 7: 17/2
- To win in round 8: 10/1
- To win in round 9: 1/12
- To win in round 10: 16/1
- To win in round 11: 22/1
- To win in round 12: 33/1
- Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 4/1
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Rico Verhoeven
- Win in round 1: 100/1
- Win in round 2: 100/1
- Win in round 3: 100/1
- Win in round 4: 100/1
- Win in round 5: 100/1
- To win in round 6: 100/1
- To win in round 7: 100/1
- Win in round 8: 100/1
- Win in round 9: 100/1
- Win in round 10: 100/1
- To win in round 11: 100/1
- To win in round 12: 100/1
- To win by decision or technical decision: 25/1
The post Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven – Odds and Betting Guide appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
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